None of my 4 Western Digital HDs have showed a sign of dying, (2 74 GB Raptors, 1 80 GB, and one 80 GB 5400 RPM external passport).
if you are looking for portability the passport is out of this world, it is amazing how light it is and the design is quite durable. The only downside is the 5400 rpm, which in my case is ok because of all the plus points.